Related Experiment Videos
[Depression and HAART adherence in HIV infected patients attending Hospital San Pablo of Coquimbo, Chile]
Insights
Many HIV patients in Chile struggle with treatment adherence, especially those with depression. Moderate to severe depression significantly increases the risk of adherence problems in HIV care.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Context:
- High coverage of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in Chile.
- HIV and depression comorbidity negatively impacts self-care and medication adherence.
- Challenges in achieving successful treatment outcomes for HIV-infected patients.
Purpose:
- To analyze adherence problems in HIV-infected patients.
- To investigate the relationship between depression and adherence issues.
- To identify factors influencing treatment success in HIV care.
Summary:
- A study evaluated 119 HIV patients in Coquimbo, Chile, using adherence and depression scales.
- 68% of patients reported HAART adherence problems, varying by sex, age, and treatment duration.
- Moderate to severe depressive symptoms were associated with a 3.08 times higher risk of adherence problems.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical role of mental health in managing HIV infection.
- Informs the development of integrated care strategies for HIV patients with depression.
- Suggests targeted interventions to improve medication adherence and treatment outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
Despite the good HAART coverage of HIV infected patients in Chile, treatment success is interfered by patient-adherence problems. Moreover, HIV and depression co-morbidity has been shown to impair self-care and medication adherence. With the aim to analyze adherence problems and its relationship with depression in HIV infected patients, we evaluated 119 HIV infected patients, attending Coquimbo's Hospital. Our sample was incidental and transversally evaluated with: Morisky, Green & Levine Medication Adherence Scale, and the Beck - II Depression Inventory. In addition, demographic and health data were obtained from clinical files. Main results showed that 68% patients referred having HAART adherence problems, with differences in sex, age and treatment duration. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with moderate-severe depressive symptoms have 3,08 (95% IC 1,08-8,80) times higher risk of having adherence problems compared to patients with mild to no depressive symptoms.